Practical Real World Uses For Infrared Cameras and Thermal Imagers

Infrared electrical inspections are safe, fast, and reliable when conducted with an infrared camera. Infrared cameras are non-contact instruments so inspections can be performed at any time without shutting down operations at the facility being inspected. Thermal inspection of commercial and residentional buildings enjoy the same advantages too.

Electrical Safety Inspections
Identify overloaded circuits, loose/corroded connections, and failing breakers in electrical panels
Identify blown fuses, overloads, phase imbalance, and harmonics problems
Identify hot spots from high resistance connections

Energy Efficiency Surveys
Identify inefficient heating and cooling transfer
Identify draft sources from missing insulation in rafters/walls/floors
Identification of problem areas helps reduce heat gain/loss and carbon footprint

Infrared Cameras Assist in the Detection of Swine Flu
Several major airports in Asia discovered the benefit of infrared cameras in conjunction with the outbreak of SARS a couple of years ago and now use infrared cameras to scan whether arriving travellers can be contaminated with the N1H1 virus (AKA swine flu).

Infrared Cameras Help Firefighters Save Lives
Infrared technology is recognized as essential in fire rescue operations where lives are at stake and are a symbiotic fire fighters tool in their efforts to gain real-time tactical data. Infrared technology designed to sense and display heat signatures, the cameras provide  “night vision” or the ability to see in dark places as well as smoke filled environments, which is priceless in the decision making process. Infrared thermal imaging systems are being integrated globally into fire control, management and firefighting services throughout the world.

These powerful tools are also used for locating moisture problems in buildings. Instead of searching with a moisture meter an inch at a time, an infrared camera provides the ability to scan an entire room in a matter of minutes. By locating the thermal changes from evaporative moisture cooling in drywall, carpet, ceiling tiles, etc., inspectors can moisture map the entire building and isolate problems before providing an estimate for repairs.

Building and Preventive Maintenance
Discovers sources of moisture in roofs and areas behind walls
Checks air distribution for blockages in pipes, damaged duct work, and insulation gaps
Check fluid distribution for stuck valves and burst pipes

Some Popular Infrared Cameras / Thermal Imagers include:

Fluke FLK-INSXS-20

FLIR EX320

Ideal Industries HeatSeeker P-2856

(courtesy Phil Vogel)